Hwang is nervous that North Korea will launch a pre-emptive strike on his country

President Hwang Kyo-ahn said he was worried a number of upcoming anniversaries – including the birth of his grandfather – will encourage Pyongyang to do something “provocative”.The South Korea capital Seoul is home to 10 million people, who are within range of North Korea's artillery missiles.

It is possible the North may wage greater provocations such as a nuclear test

Hwang Kyo-ahn, South Korean President

The US sent a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to the western Pacific after several disturbing missile launches from the communist state.Hwang said: “It is possible the North may wage greater provocations such as a nuclear test timed with various anniversaries including the Supreme People's Assembly.”

Secretive images revealed as North Korea prepares for war
Wed, April 5, 2017

A look at North Korea's firepower as it pursues its nuclear and ballistic missile programs in defiance of the United States and its allies.

People watch a television news showing file footage of a North Korean missile launch, at a railway station in Seoul

Saturday is the 105th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il-Sung, the country's founding father and grandfather of current ruler, the despot Kim.The secretive state has previously celebrated anniversaries with a show of military capabilities.

North Korea reacted angrily to the “reckless” moves made by the US Navy and claimed they worried that the threat of “invading had reached a serious phase”.A ministry spokesman for the communist nation said: “We never beg for peace but we will take the toughest counteraction against the provocateurs in order to defend ourselves by powerful force of arms and keep to the road chosen by ourselves.”

A shaky peace has existed between the neighbouring countries for 64 years, but the North’s determination to develop missiles means tensions are at breaking point.The Chinese army has reportedly deployed 150,000 troops to the North Korean border to prepare for pre-emptive attacks.

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The US sent an aircraft carrier to the western Pacific and the North think it an act of aggression

The troops have been dispatched to handle North Korean refugees and “unforeseen circumstances”, according to Reuters.The development was revealed just days after a high-profile North Korean defector urged the West to kill despot Kim before it is too late.The US will be hoping the missile strike on a Syrian airbase, in response to a chemical attack, will make the North Korean despot reconsider his military aggression.